Anti-gay law: Gay Nigerians flood Netherlands embassy seeking asylum

The Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria has confirmed that it has received some applications for asylum by some Nigerians who fear persecution following the recent signing into law the anti-gay bill by President Jonathan, Thisday reports.

Netherlands is a gay-friendly country. The embassy sent an email to Thisday some days ago saying that despite receiving these applications, it was neither involved in processing any application for asylum seekers nor does it have the power to grant asylum to applicants.

"The embassy has received a small number of applications for asylum by Nigerians. It is not possible to apply for asylum at the embassy. We inform the applicants likewise but we do not register the number of applications made. At this stage, it is not possible to make predictions. That would be speculation. However, when people become increasingly aware that it is not possible to apply for asylum at the embassy, one could expect a decrease. The embassy is not involved in the asylum process, neither in the application nor in the determination of the authenticity of claims.”